brisbanetimes.com.au urban affairs reporter and blogger

Breast surgery generates the most complaints about cosmetic medical procedures in Queensland, according to the state's independent health watchdog.

A new report from the Health Quality and Complaint Commission shows the majority of 245 complaints received about cosmetic surgical procedures between 2006 and 2012 related to breast-enhancement surgery.

But the HQCC report also reveals 14 practitioners were responsible for nearly half of all complaints.

“We don't believe we're any worse than other states, but we don't know because we lack the means of determining a baseline with which we can effectively compare and contrast our experience.

“We can't be absolutely sure.”

Much of the ambiguity was due to patchy licensing legislation in Queensland, Mr Stitz said.

It is currently possible for an individual to offer cosmetic treatments, such as chemical face peels, without registering with the state health department.

Professor Stitz said there were problems associated with qualified doctors performing surgeries or procedures they weren't specifically trained in or licensed to perform.

“A doctor shouldn't be doing a breast enhancement just because they graduated from medical school,” he said.

“We need to have licensing processes wherever there is the possibility for harm.”

However, Professor Stitz said doctors also needed to "manage" patients' expectations.

“There are various psycho-social factors at play here – cosmetic surgery won't transform you into a film star, for example.”

HQCC was established in July 2006 and resolves complaints, investigates serious healthcare issues and monitors the quality of health services across the state.

It currently is not able to discipline registered practitioners in the state, or introduce limitations for registration, which is carried out by the Medical Board of Australia through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority.